Tampa Bay Rays Activate Shane McClanahan, Yandy Diaz in Slew of Major Roster Moves

The two All-Stars missed the Rays' series against the Kansas City Royals, but will be back with the team for their upcoming games versus the Texas Rangers.

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to welcome back a pair of All-Stars to their active roster on Monday.

The team announced several moves Monday, including activating starting pitcher Shane McClanahan from the 15-day injured list and and corner infielder Yandy Diaz from the paternity list.

McClanahan is scheduled to start for the Rays on Monday against the Texas Rangers, while Diaz is expected to lead off and play first base.

To make room for McClanahan and Diaz, Tampa Bay optioned utility man Jonathan Aranda to Triple-A Durham and designated right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos for assignment. Aranda had been on the major league roster since Friday, when he was called up to replace Diaz. Chirinos, on the other hand, has been with the team since June 8.

The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated INF Yandy Díaz from the paternity list and LHP Shane McClanahan from the 15-Day injured list.

To make room on the active roster, we have optioned INF Jonathan Aranda to Triple-A Durham and designated RHP Yonny Chirinos for assignment.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 17, 2023

McClanahan had been on the injured list with mid-back tightness since July 1. The 26-year-old was having a career year before he went down, leading the American League with 11 wins and a 2.53 ERA through 17 starts.

For the second year in a row, McClanahan made the All-Star Game, but he did not pitch in it due to his injury.

Diaz did take the field in Seattle last Tuesday, crushing a solo home run that gave the American League a brief early lead. The 31-year-old was making his first career All-Star Game appearance, heading into the break with 13 homers, 43 RBI, a .323 batting average and a .923 OPS.

However, it wasn't always a sure thing that Diaz would suit up for the AL, considering his wife Mayisleidis' due date was also supposed to be Tuesday.

Diaz wound up making the trip to Seattle, though, leaving Tampa for about 36 hours. Diaz's son, Yandy Diaz Jr., was born Wednesday, and the Rays placed him on the paternity list Friday.

Without McClanahan and Diaz, the first-place Rays took out of of three on the road against the Kansas City Royals in their first series back from the All-Star break. After Friday's series opener was postponed, Tampa Bay swept Saturday's double-header, but came up short in Sunday's finale.

First pitch between the Rays and Rangers is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington. McClanahan and right-hander Dane Dunning are the probable starting pitchers.

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